"ELCO 26 STUDY PLANS" — Three 11" x 17" sheets of drawings plus a full set of specs and article reprints.

The Elco Twenty-siz.
The smallest practical cruiser.
Accommodations for four people

The 26-foot Elco Cruiser, first presented
to the public early in 1925, now has the enthusiastic
recommendation of nearly two hundred owners. Two years
of service as a day boat, fisherman, sailboat tender,
in the Navy of a foreign power, and in coastwise cruising
have shown the fundamental idea and design of this smallest
practical cruiser to be correct. A greatly augmented
equipment list and a few modifications which were found
desirable, make the present model a
complete small cruising boat.

The many exclusive and patented features
of her design give the Eico Twenty-Six the accommodations
usually found only in boats of considerably more than
her scant twenty-six feet of overall length. The cabin
has two transom seats which, with their hinged spring
backs, make up into upper and lower berths for four
people. On the port side aft is located the galley which
is fitted with a two-burner stove, sink with drain board
and running water, dish racks, knife drawer, and stowage
shelves all compactly but conveniently arranged. Opposite
the galley is a very large full-length clothes locker.
The toilet compartment forward is separated from the
cabin by a bulkhead. It is fitted with a high-grade
yacht closet, wash basin, and linen shelf. Additional
shelves and hanging space are also provided. In the
extreme bow is an ample bin for ropes. A large square
hatch directly over the toilet gives ventilation and
access to the deck.

The cockpit is unusually large and is
protected by a khaki awning and windshield. The ice
box is located in the forward port corner convenient
to the galley and where it does not infringe on useful
space. The spark and throttle and reverse controls of
special Elco type are centered at the wheel which is
located on the starboard side.

The Eico Twenty-Six is powered with an
Elco-Gray model Z four-cylinder Marine Engine of i5-l8
horsepower, installed under the cockpit floor and accessible
through flush hatches or by lifting away the cabin steps.
Electric starting and lighting and enclosed reverse
gear are regular equipment. Switches, starting button,
fuses, ammeter, and choke are located just inside the
cabin where they are protected from the weather.

Mechanical details of the engine and its
installation are so simple that anyone with the slightest
automobile experience can handle it successfully. Engine
noise and vibration are noticeably absent throughout
the boat.

The care and operation of the boat requires
a minimum of effort. Everything has been designed to
eliminate the unnecessary and retain the essential.
In construction and material, as shown by the specifications,
she is the equal of her larger and more expensive sisters.
Seaworthy quallties are assured by generous beam and
proper
lines. She is most economical in first cost and in operation.
Gasoline and oil for a thousand mile trip will cost
less than forty dollars. Furthermore the owner is assured
that his investment is protected by a high resale value
even after several years of use.

These specifications are intended to cover an Elco boat
as shown by above indicated design and as described on
the following pages, structurally complete in all essential
respects and including the fittings, furnishings and equipment
as listed herein.

Materials used are of highest quality tor the purposes
intended, being carefully selected and proportioned, and
construction throughout executed by experienced workmen,
in the most approved manner.

SPEED, TRIALS AND DELIVERY

Built and equiped as specified, in proper condition,
and operating at full power, this boat has a speed of
10 statute miles per hour.

Trials run at our plant, of sufficient duration to determine
that all working parts operate correctly, that the power
plant is developing its specified power and is in proper
condition for continued operation.

Delivery, unless otherwise arranged, in the water at
our Plant, in commission and complete as specified.

PLANS

Arrangement of boat is shown by plan of Design 26-B-42
which is attached hereto, and which forms a part of these
specifications.

Cabin top formed by raised forward deck. Cabin fitted
with large hinged ports providing ample light and ventilation.
Companionway at center line, with mahogany hinged hatch
and door.

Cockpit arranged as shown on plan, and finished with
mahogany trim. Locker and. stowage space provided under
the cockpit floor, readily accessible. Cockpit floor of
pine, with hatches over engine and over rudder. Seat across
after end of cockpit, with cushion and with life preserver
stowage under. Scuppers draining to sea, at after end.
Gasoline tank enclosed by panels with mahogany top.

Forepeak locker at stem, accessible from lavatory, with
water tank and shelves.

Lavatory forward, with door from cabin, and lighted
and ventilated by deck hatch and portlights.

Cabin arranged with transom seats, or berths, at sides,
and separated from galley by partial bulkhead. Seat backs
arranged to hinge up, making in all four comfortable berths.
Galley at after end of cabin, with dresser, sink, dish
racks and shelves. Built in ice box on starboard side,
lined with zinc and having separate food and ice compartments.
Mahogany battens under deck beams for stowage. Hanging
or stowage space opposite galley, with hooks and shelves.
Cabin lighted and ventilated by ports and companion door
and hatch. Engine under cockpit floor, accessible through
hatch, and front accessible under portable cabin stairs.

RUDDER AND STEERING GEAR

The entire rudder gear is of bronze, ot special design.
The rudder is easily removable and the stocK is fitted
for the protection ot the rudder and propeller.

The steering gear is conveniently located, with a vertical
type brass wheel. The steering line is of galvanized flexible
wire rope, reeving around a drum and leading directly
to the rudder over a pair of sheaves, and fitted with
turnbuckles.

Water closet of hand operated type with bronze pump and
fittings. Sink and wash basin of white enameled iron.
Fresh water tank heavily galvanized, of 40 gallons capacity,
located in forepeak, and water supplied to fixtures by
gravity.

Exaust water cooled, with discharge at the stern. Engine
controls conveniently arranged, with spark and throttle
at the steering gear, and reverse control alongside instruments
on bulkhead, and switches inside of cabin door.

Gasoline tank of steel, heavily galvanized, located
at forward end of cockpit, portside, and arranged for
gavity feed; capacity 45 gallons. Filling plug in top
of tank. Connection between tank and carburetor by copper
tubing, with strainer and water trap. Drip pan under carburetor.

SOME TYPICAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR ELCO 26
LOADING AND POWER REQUIREMENTS

The Elco 26 designed dlsplacenent is 6500 lbs. or 2.9
tons. Therefore, a builder should have a completed DRY
boat at 5800 lbs. This gives him a useful half-load of
700 lbs.

Load

Passengers

-

720 lbs.

Fuel

-

175 lbs.

Water

-

187 lbs.

Stores

-

318 lbs

Total

-

1400/2 = 700 lbs.

The engine should be at least 18.5 HP, gas
or Diesel. This should push
the boat along at about 7.1 knots, using 0.78 GPH Diesel
or l.3 GPM gasoline @ 60% power. A much larger engine
is not really called for.
A comfortable 5.5 to 6 knot speed should reduce fuel consumption
by
about 40%.